Aa
hydrocortisone side effects
Hi I was wondering how many people have had any side effects from taking 15 mg a day of hyrdrocortisone. I'm supposed to start that and I would like to know what my chances of side effects are for this dosage so I can be prepared. has anyone has any facial swelling or neck swelling with this dosage? or mood changes? I know this is on the lower end dosage-wise but I'm just curious about peoples experiences. I'm supposed to take in for adrenal insufficiency FYI. Thanks!
The first thing that comes to mind is not how much HC you take but when.
You say the ADR said 10 mg in the morning and 5 in the evening.
I suggest you take the 5 mg no later than 4pm and that will help you get to sleep. Any dose taken after say 5 or 6pm will interfere with your sleep.
You say the ADR said 10 mg in the morning and 5 in the evening.
I suggest you take the 5 mg no later than 4pm and that will help you get to sleep. Any dose taken after say 5 or 6pm will interfere with your sleep.
I was just diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency and started taking hydro-cortisone about a week and a half ago. My Dr wanted me to take 10 mg in the am and 5 mg in the evening. The first 2 days my symptoms were being either too cold or too hot. I had a major hot flash one day. The 2nd day I was hungry. I had trouble getting to sleep every night, and I wake up @ 3 - 4 am and can't get back to sleep. My stomach is like on fire, and then I have loose stools that are yellowish. Before starting this med I was always constipated.
On Day 3 I felt terrible. So nauseated I could hardly eat. Day 4 I felt a little better. On Day 5 (Monday) I called the Drs office. The Dr was not in, but the nurse said it sounded like I was maybe getting too much and told me not take the evening dose. My other symptoms were/are chills, shaky, sweaty feet, legs feel inflamed sometimes, stomach pains, nausea, increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue,headache, feel weak, gassy, burpy, feel out of it/cloudy brain, burning in stomach, labored breathing, short of breath, & dizzy/woozy.
The nurse did not say what to do about the next morning's dose. I know you are not suppose to stop abruptly so I just took 5 mg. Never heard back from her that day. So On Wed I just took 5 mg again. I called them back that day and she said the Dr said that I should not be having those kind of symptoms, and that is was hard to tell if it was the med causing it or maybe I was not getting enough med, and it was just symptoms of the disease. But what I don't understand is before I started taking the med, my biggest symptom was fatigue in the afternoon and evening, then I would be wide awake again about 9 pm. I would occasionally get nauseated and feel dizzy. So why do I have all these symptoms now!!!
Well, after doing some research I came across something that said taking a low dose can actually make you worse so maybe that is what happened. I went to see another endo today. I had been wanting to switch Drs anyway. she said its possible that maybe I had a little bug this week, or that I have something totally different going on. So she wants me to try taking more in the morning. 15 mgs and then 5 mg no later than 4. The first Dr just told me evening, so I was doing it at 6 - 7 pm.
I hope this hasn't scared anyone off. I may just be the rare exception. Both Drs have told me, side effects are rare and that most people feel better once they start taking it. I hope that happens to me soon!
I also have asthma, allergies, hashimotos thyroiditis, & pernicious anemia.
On Day 3 I felt terrible. So nauseated I could hardly eat. Day 4 I felt a little better. On Day 5 (Monday) I called the Drs office. The Dr was not in, but the nurse said it sounded like I was maybe getting too much and told me not take the evening dose. My other symptoms were/are chills, shaky, sweaty feet, legs feel inflamed sometimes, stomach pains, nausea, increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue,headache, feel weak, gassy, burpy, feel out of it/cloudy brain, burning in stomach, labored breathing, short of breath, & dizzy/woozy.
The nurse did not say what to do about the next morning's dose. I know you are not suppose to stop abruptly so I just took 5 mg. Never heard back from her that day. So On Wed I just took 5 mg again. I called them back that day and she said the Dr said that I should not be having those kind of symptoms, and that is was hard to tell if it was the med causing it or maybe I was not getting enough med, and it was just symptoms of the disease. But what I don't understand is before I started taking the med, my biggest symptom was fatigue in the afternoon and evening, then I would be wide awake again about 9 pm. I would occasionally get nauseated and feel dizzy. So why do I have all these symptoms now!!!
Well, after doing some research I came across something that said taking a low dose can actually make you worse so maybe that is what happened. I went to see another endo today. I had been wanting to switch Drs anyway. she said its possible that maybe I had a little bug this week, or that I have something totally different going on. So she wants me to try taking more in the morning. 15 mgs and then 5 mg no later than 4. The first Dr just told me evening, so I was doing it at 6 - 7 pm.
I hope this hasn't scared anyone off. I may just be the rare exception. Both Drs have told me, side effects are rare and that most people feel better once they start taking it. I hope that happens to me soon!
I also have asthma, allergies, hashimotos thyroiditis, & pernicious anemia.
I would take it as your doc suggested to mimic the circadian rhythm of a normal body. I take my second dose no later than 4 as LC suggests.
25mg sounds more in keeping with your other issues - it is a slightly higher replacement dose. It could also keep your other issues subdued a bit, but not much - because they gave you high doses before they basically put your adrenals to sleep forever. :(
25mg sounds more in keeping with your other issues - it is a slightly higher replacement dose. It could also keep your other issues subdued a bit, but not much - because they gave you high doses before they basically put your adrenals to sleep forever. :(
Above I meant to say 40mg not 340 mgs.
As to the time of your dose, it does not matter when you take them so long as in any day you take 15 mg.
Two things however are important:
1. Do not take it after say 4pm or it may hinder your sleep
2. I found that when I spread the dose over the day I felt better.
You mention 15mg and then you mention 25 mg.
Let's say you mean you were told to take 2x 5mg in the morning and 5 mg at lunch OR 2x 10 mg in the morning and 5 mg at lunch, either way I bet you'll feel weak or irritable by late afternoon, so I would try what the doctor said first.
If that does not work then I suggest 5 mg at 8am, 5 mg at noon and 5 at 4pm
As to the time of your dose, it does not matter when you take them so long as in any day you take 15 mg.
Two things however are important:
1. Do not take it after say 4pm or it may hinder your sleep
2. I found that when I spread the dose over the day I felt better.
You mention 15mg and then you mention 25 mg.
Let's say you mean you were told to take 2x 5mg in the morning and 5 mg at lunch OR 2x 10 mg in the morning and 5 mg at lunch, either way I bet you'll feel weak or irritable by late afternoon, so I would try what the doctor said first.
If that does not work then I suggest 5 mg at 8am, 5 mg at noon and 5 at 4pm
thanks! yes I have fibromyalgia, asthma, severe eczema, and fibromyalgia, with the adrenal insufficiency from the steroids used for treating my asthmas and eczema. the endo recomended 2 10mg at breakfast and 5 mg at lunch. given some other prior health issues I have some trust issues with doctors prescriptions so I wanted to read some peoples experiences since doctors in the past haven't properly warned me of side effects before. thanks so much for all the help!
15mg is a replacement dose.
Usually, the side effects of swelling etc come from high doses that are used for anti-inflammatory or other uses.
I don't have any side effects - but I would talk to your pharmacist about your meds, as well as how to take it with any others you are taking.
Usually, the side effects of swelling etc come from high doses that are used for anti-inflammatory or other uses.
I don't have any side effects - but I would talk to your pharmacist about your meds, as well as how to take it with any others you are taking.
Hi, in 2010 I was on HC at times 5 mg and at times all the way to 340 mg/day. If you are recommended 15 mg per day then I guess you have fatigue and pains in the joints.
I cannot speak for others but I had no swelling of any type. I did have mood swings BUT they occurred when on endocrinologist reduced my dose before it should have been reduced. If you are taking HC at the right amount you'll feel better. Far better.
Did he tell you when to take it? In the morning? Lunchtime? Afternoon?
I cannot speak for others but I had no swelling of any type. I did have mood swings BUT they occurred when on endocrinologist reduced my dose before it should have been reduced. If you are taking HC at the right amount you'll feel better. Far better.
Did he tell you when to take it? In the morning? Lunchtime? Afternoon?
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Adrenal Insufficiency Community
We tapped the CDC for information on what you need to know about radiation exposure
Endocrinologist Mark Lupo, MD, answers 10 questions about thyroid disorders and how to treat them
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
